Calorie Issues!

KazziaLlewellynn

Okay so I've eaten for the past 2 days (how long I've been joined) Like I always do, input everything, and I mean everything into my diary, and both days and over 1000 calories under what is says I should be eating...Can this be why I cannot seem to lose weight? And what are healthy ways to get those calories that I seem to need?

Foxzy

Give it some more time to see results.

KazziaLlewellynn

I have been eating carefully *ish* like this for almost 2 years now, same weight. No loss, no gain. I stay a steady weight. No health problems other than severely overweight. *Should've put that in the first post.

sassylilmama

One suggestion would be less processed foods.

keithaj1

Add some daily cardio as well as cutting calories.

girard5

It might be - you have to eat to lose - sounds so contradictory doesn't it! What is your weight loss goal? I know what is really working for me is eating every couple of hours and eating a lot of fresh veggies, lean protein, healthy fats and fruit.

megan6709

I found that when I started logging daily, I would eat less because I knew the evidence would be staring back at me right away. I'm not saying that's what happened, but it might be a small contributing factor you're not aware of. Good luck!

KazziaLlewellynn

I'll try that. I'm not the greatest at eating natural. It'll be a good start. I just want to be healthy, I don't even wanna be skinny. I just want to be healthy.

I'll work on the cardio, I'm trying to safely step it up. I've been lazy most of my life, one of the I don't care if I'm fat, kinda people, but I realized I don't just have me to worry about now.

Thanks, I'll try eating more veggies! I love them so that shouldn't be a problem for me!

I'll also try to make sure I'm not skipping out just because I don't wanna see it in black and white, and green, or RED!

Articeluvsmemphis

I've learned/heard that your body gets use to the same things after awhile, metabolizes it slower(I think) and therefore it's not challenging to your body, and it doesn't burn any fat. so i would only suggest upping your water intake, and maybe adding more calories by using what you already eat. so yo eat 1 egg, eat another in the same meal. add healthy fat like in nuts/beans {adds calories} and increase exercise time if you are able.

KazziaLlewellynn

Thanks! I'll try that. I need water to keep me going anyway. I know better than to drink so little. I appreciate the advice. I really want to lose this long term, and never ever go back to a lifestyle that gains it back.

sportacio

hey! welcome to fitnesspal.! im new too but ive always had a real good feel on how to lose weight. u need to keep your metabolism running! if u have 3-sit-down meals in a day....ur metabolism is gna go slow! my mom [lportacio, in case u wanna add her, shes new too!] intakes like 600 cals a day...and ur body will store that automatically as fat. Im going to tell you how to get more . in the morning have ur breakfast, snack [healthy, apple .. granola bar, yogurt]...lunch, snack, dinner. you shud be eating every 3 hours! i hope this helps! Good luck on your journey!

russellma

You might not see a lot of progress in two days, so don't get discouraged yet!

But, when I started with a goal of 1 lb/wk and 1200 cals per day, I didn't lose anything!

A friend of mine suggested upping my intake and upping my activity. Since I've done that, I've been slowly losing.

You might consider eating more, but taking a daily walk (or if you want to stay inside...jog in place), to start with, or invest in a good workout DVD for your fitness level.

Good luck to you!!

ItsMeBlue

first..i'm guessing the sodium is killing you. not to mention, under 1200 calories is starvation mode. i've been doing this for 3 weeks and i lost 2 inches in my pants width already. try more fresh veggies, egg whites only (15 calories per egg white), and stay with chicken or turkey or fish for your protiens. you would be surprised what you can eat in a day and stay below the calories allowed by this website. i'm not talking batting down the hatches and demolishing buffets like i used to. but i'm actually full after a normal meal. it rocks! good luck with it!

love22step

Welcome to MyFitnessPal. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I love being active again. I love fitting into some of my old clothes. I love my my fitness pals!

A couple of things you might consider: You didn't mention your exercise. Are you exercising a lot more now? Have you dropped the junk foods and artificial sweeteners? Exercise and healthy, natural foods will help normalize your metabolism.

Stick with this, and you will be successful! Have fun!

Fairysoul

Well I have heard cutting soda and sugary drinks helps a lot! I have never been a soda drinker though.

MIMITIME

I didn't lose the first week but once I lost the first pound the second week so far so good. I started Sept 1. I don't have any trouble eating my calories (haha) so that may be some of your problem. If you simply are not hungry, you can bump up your calories with something like peanut butter. It doesn't take much to add a lot of calories but you are getting a lot of protein and good fats. The same with eating nuts. It doesn't take many to make up your calories. Based on my experience so far, you need to eat as close to your calories as possible or your body will go into starvation mode and your metabolism will slow to a crawl.

eeeekie

Hey!

Welcome to MFP

I checked your dairy and I have some ideas you might be able to implement. Try to watch your sodium intake and up your water intake. If I drink less than 8 glasses (most of the time 16 glasses) I don't see a loss. You will cut your sodium intake if you just start eating less of the processed stuff. Add more fresh fruit and veg to your diet. Once you take control over the sodium you'll really notice the weight drop.

Also, don't eat 1000 calories less than what MFP says to eat. Eat all your calories or as close as possible.

When I started controlling my sodium and upping my water the weight started to drop fast. It takes a few to get a hang of it but really it does such a HUGE dramatic change once you do get a hold of it.

Also, give it more than a couple days. You should start to seeing a change once you get that sodium under control


- FRESH veg
- FRESH fruit
- Up the water intake (ATLEAST 8 cups)
- Watch sodium intake

KazziaLlewellynn

@sportacio: I will have to try eating every 3 hours. This is the first time I've ever recorded everything I put in my mouth and its' a little daunting, but I'm tryin not to let that phase me.

@russellma: Thanks! I'm trying to up my fitness, I hadn't thought about a dvd.

@Slither1: I'm hearing a lot of folks say to eat veggies and chicken, turkey, fish, so I'll try to incorporate more of that as well. I'm really fighting the sodium. I never realized how much I was taking in a day! I didn't even think about it. I'll try for the lighter healthier foods. Egg whites...umm, I've never eaten them alone, do they taste okay?

@love22step: As far as exercise I'm doing more than I normally do. On a day to day basis I'm fairly active. I work in a daycare with 2 year olds so I do a lot of moving, dancing, chasing, just kid things. But not the same thing for extended periods. I've started dancing again which I love, but I'm having to build back up to it. It is sad how far I let myself get.

@fairysoul: I hope that will help for some reason I had two today, which I NEVER do. I don't get mocha's anymore, now I remember why, and normally I drink water with Hawaiian Punch's sugar free drink mix in it. I'm hoping that if I cut them out completely I can lose some of the sugars. Since someone just told me processed foods are bad, and sugar is WAY processed. Thank you Google!

@MIMITIME: Thanks! I'll try to remember to eat my calories. I just don't feel as hungry for the past few months. I've always fought with wanting to over eat, and I'm sure it will be the same next time I eat pasta or something I truly love, but I'm trying not to eat those things.

@eeeekie: Thanks. I guess I just have a lot to work on. Some of the things I'm doing in a bad way I never notices. As I said above OMW at the sodium. I guess I focused so hard on fats I never watch the calories or the sodium. I never really thought about what I put into my body so much as how much.

Are frozen veggies an okay sub for fresh? I'm in the first year of marriage so fresh veggies are hard to get my hands on right now.

NurseHthr

first..i'm guessing the sodium is killing you. not to mention, under 1200 calories is starvation mode. i've been doing this for 3 weeks and i lost 2 inches in my pants width already. try more fresh veggies, egg whites only (15 calories per egg white), and stay with chicken or turkey or fish for your protiens. you would be surprised what you can eat in a day and stay below the calories allowed by this website. i'm not talking batting down the hatches and demolishing buffets like i used to. but i'm actually full after a normal meal. it rocks! good luck with it!

This dude has got it completely right. eat more of the "right" things, watch your sodium, up your water.
It WILL come off! Get moving and track every single bite! You sholdl probably be eating way way more than 1200 cals if you're severely overweight

KazziaLlewellynn

Thank you. I'll keep that advice in mind. Since I now have several people telling me to stick with the guidelines I'll try to follow more closely with healthier foods.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to check it out and get back to me. I know that's a few minutes you won't get back but I appreciate it!

Anyone needing a cheering section, sounding board, or good ear, or friend, feel free to add me.

Kambriasgranny

Well 2 days is not enough time to really have a grip on what's going on. You may want to check what your calories and made up of, ie. fruits, veggies, processed food?? Eating 1200 calories of veggies and fruits and lean protein is MUCH better than 1200 calories of snack foods, ice cream and processed junk. I know, because I am guilty of exactly this crime!!! I look at my friends food diary who are losing weight steadily and the main difference is what kind of calories tey are eating. Don't get down on yourself...this is a slow and steady race.......Good Luck!

shydaisi

Some of this will be repetitive of what others have said before and what you have already acknowledged, but...

In summary, less sodium, more water (aim for half of your body weight in ounces), and eat more healthy calories. It is important you eat as close to your caloric goal as you can while staying within your macros.

mcjabber

Nut butter is always a good way to get some extra calories in, too, if you find yourself at the end of the day with a whole bunch left to eat.

As far as not having an appetite goes, I notice that when I eat 'starvation mode' style for several days, I lose my appetite too. But I really don't think that's a good thing--I feel drained of energy, both because I'm not giving myself any fuel and because the low calories make me sleep poorly.

Hope that is helpful!

chocoholicandbaby

Welcome to MFP :-)

You've made the first step just by joining/deciding to make a change - and that is a HUGE start!

My few simple tips:
- Cut out soft drink. That was one of my HUGE downfalls (absolute coke addict). It can be hard cutting it out cold turkey - so ease off if you have to (I recommend not having diet drinks - I'm not a fan of aspartame, but that's a choice you can make). I used to have coke for an energy fix, and because I felt like that quenched my thirst. I have found since eating better I don't even need it for the energy, and, although it can be hard sometimes getting the right amount of water, that is far more refreshing than a coke!

- Cook your own meals rather than buying processed food. For breakfast for example, make an omelette. If you are short on time a healthy cereal is good with some fruit. I love muesli, but you could have porridge with stewed apple or some special k with bananas and strawberries.

- I recommend not using meal replacements. That bar you had is 420 calories - you would be better off having a large bowl of cereal, some fruit and a coffee in that amount of calories. Much more satisfying (thats my opinion of course.)

- Looking at your lunch with the sliced beans - you would be far better buying fresh beans and blanching them, maybeadd some grape tomatos dressing them in balsamic and seeded mustard. Yummy and fresh - and without that huge amount of sodium.

- Having a look at your calorie intake - you have roughly 2300 to play with. Here are a couple of sites that may help you out with meal planning:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/78646-calorie-meal-plan/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/192459-2300-calorie-diet/
http://www.bodyspex.com/Community.aspx?ArticleID=56 - This one is particularly good as it gives you the servings of each food group you should aim for.
http://www.realjock.com/nutrition/1075
You can also do a google search for "2300 calorie meal plan" that will give you some other ideas.

Some general advice:
- Use wholegrains, or wholewheat, where possible (brown rice, wholewheat flour, wholewheat bread)
- Use less refined, more natural products
- Shop around the outside of the supermarket - that is, buy the fresh food - fresh fruit and veges instead of canned
- prepare your own meals
- do big cookups on the weekend (or a spare day) and freeze meals in portion sizes - your own quick, ready meals
- make up a big container of salad to have in the fridge to use during the week
- plan meals in advance and write a shopping list! (and don't go shopping hungry!) This saves your budget as well as your waist
- Have a check up with your doctor, and have regular checkups - I would suggest 1 per month. They can also give you some more personalised health advice
- Start by increasing your incidental exercise - walk instead of drive, get off the bus a few stops earlier, take the stairs instead of the lift etc
- Walk 30mins per day most days of the week
- Drink a lot more water! To begin with you may be going to the toilet a every couple of minutes but persevere!

Feel free to add me as a friend on here if you need some extra support! I have only just started as well and have about 80lbs to lose

KazziaLlewellynn

Thanks everyone! I'm looking into the sites and numbers and markets now! You are all awesome!

Greenwellj

Have a good protein shake.

KazziaLlewellynn

That's a good thought! I tried a protein bar this morning. I bought one on my way to training on Sat, but didn't eat it. I don't like the bars at ALL! Maybe the shakes will be better. I've made a concentrated effort to get more protein in my diet because I was severely lacking and started craving it all the time. Maybe that can help me do it.

spoiledwife12

And, above all, don't try to incorporate 20 tips at once! This will be a lifestyle you live, not a quick fix. It will take time to implement all this good advice.

Every time I eat, I try to include a veggie, whole grain, and protein. I throw in about 2-4 fresh fruits a day, as well.

Even a walk around the block every day will yield significant results.

You have a great attitude and you will see success!!!

KazziaLlewellynn

Thanks. Many of the things folks suggested are things I'm currently working on and have been for a while. The sodium advice threw me a bit, I never knew how much was in some foods. Since we're all doing this as a family we're all getting rid of unhealthy foods and choices, and we're all trying to go fresh, no added salt, and more active by far. I'm normally more of a water drinker so that's not hard.